The Role of PIXE and XRF in Heritage Science: The INFN-CHNet LABEC Experience

Abstract

Analytical techniques play a fundamental role in heritage science. Among them, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques are widely used in many laboratories for elemental composition analysis. Although they are well-established, a strong effort is put on their upgrade, making them suitable for more and more applications. Over the years, at the INFN-LABEC (the laboratory of nuclear techniques for the environment and cultural heritage of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics), the INFN-CHNet group, the network devoted to cultural heritage, has carried out many technological improvements to the PIXE and XRF set-ups for the analysis of works of art and archaeological finds. Among the many, we recall here the scanning external microbeam facility at the TANDEM accelerator and the MA-XRF scanner. The two instruments have shown complementary features: the former permits quantitative analysis of elements heavier than sodium, which is not possible with the latter in most of the case studies. On the contrary, the scanner has the undeniable advantage of portability, allowing it to work in situ. In this framework of technological developments in heritage science, INFN, CERN, and OPD are jointly carrying on the MACHINA (Movable Accelerator for Cultural Heritage In-situ Non-destructive Analysis) project for on-site Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) studies on cultural heritage.

Recent developments in X-ray diffraction/scattering computed tomography for materials science

“…Cultural heritage samples are typically delicate, prone to damage and irreplaceable, which collectively translates to a need for extremely lowly (if at all) destructive analytical methods. Unsurprisingly, characterization techniques used by conservation scientists are (for want of a better word) conservative and include XRF [ 127 ] and visible light spectroscopy (primarily photoluminescence [ 128 ] but also Raman [ 129 ]) with an interest in portable devices for minimally disruptive in situ measurement [ 130 ]. Priorities are generally centred around understanding the evolving surface chemistry of cultural items with the view to understand how best to store [ 131 ], clean [ 132 ] or maintain them.…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials

“…For many years the National Institute for Nuclear Physics, Italy has been using PIXE and XRF to analyse cultural heritage samples . A review of the work containing 62 references was presented by Sottili et al 311 The work has included the development of many instrumental advances, including a portable macro-XRF scanner and the MACHINA (moveable accelerator for cultural heritage in situ non-destructive analysis) for on-site ion beam analysis.…”

The Importance of Preventive Analysis in Heritage Science: MA-XRF Supporting the Restoration of Madonna with Child by Mantegna

“…Following this trail, the INFN-CHNet group, in collaboration with the Conseil Europèen pour la Recherce Nuclèaire (CERN) and the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, has started the construction of MACHINA [27], a transportable accelerator weighting about 600 kg with a reduced footprint of roughly 2.5 × 1.6 m 2 that will work with a power consumption of a few kW. It will be equipped with the so-called total-IBA approach, taking advantage of the IBA expertise of the INFN Florence division both in cultural heritage and also nuclear physics in general [28][29][30][31].…”